The microcell mediated transfer of human chromosome 8 into highly metastatic rat liver cancer cell line C5F

Functional localization of metastasis suppressor genes for hepatocellular carcinoma on human chromosome 8p21.1-23.1

AIM: To further refine the region harboring the metastasis suppressor genes in the human chromosome 8p21.1-23.1, and to pave the way for finding and cloning novel metastasis suppressor genes.

METHODS: The STS primer sequences were found according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information Database (NCBI). C5F genomic DNA and A9/neo8 genomic DNA were used as negative and positive controls for chromosome 8 amplification, respectively. Genomic DNA was isolated and quantified from cultured hybrid clones. A9/C5F-1 and A9/C5F-2 microcell hybrid clones were used as metastasis-unsuppressed groups, while A9/C5F-4, A9/C5F-8 and A9/C5F-10 clones were used as metastasis-suppressed groups. STS-PCR products were separated by electrophoresis.

RESULTS: STS markers were preserved in metastasis-suppressed microcell hybrid clones (A9/C5F-4, A9/C5F-8 and A9/C5F-10), such as D8S552 (12786562-12786681), D8S1733(22576582-22576836), D8S1734 (22851217-22851336), D8S254(16652480-16652550) and D8S1973 (28681110-28681363) on human chromosome 8p21.1-23.1. In contrast, STS markers were lost in metastasis-unsuppressed clones (A9/C5F-1 and A9/C5F-2) in this region.

CONCLUSION: The metastasis suppressor genes may be located within the interval between D8S542 and D8S1973 on human chromosome 8p21.1-23.1.

A decade's studies on metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Metastasis remains one of the major challenges before hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is finally conquered. This paper summarized a decade's studies on HCC metastasis at the Liver Cancer Institute of Fudan University. We have established a stepwise metastatic human HCC model system, which included a metastatic HCC model in nude mice (LCI-D20), a HCC cell line with high metastatic potential (MHCC97), a relatively low metastatic potential cell clone (MHCC97L) and several stepwise high metastatic potential cell clones (MHCC97H, HCCLM3, and HCCLM6) from their parent MHCC97 cell. Endeavors have been made for searching human HCC metastasis-related chromosomes/proteins/genes. Monogene-based studies revealed that HCC invasion/metastasis was similar to that of other solid tumors, and the biological characteristics of small HCC were only slightly better than that of large HCC. Using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), genotyping, cDNA microarray, and 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis, we obtained some interesting results. In particular, in collaboration with the National Institute of Health (NIH) in the United States, we generated a molecular signature that can classify metastatic HCC patients, identified osteopontin as a lead gene in the signature, and found that genes favoring metastasis progression were initiated in the primary tumors. We also found that chromosome 8p deletion, particularly in the region of 8p23, was associated with HCC metastasis. Cytokeratin 19 was identified as one of the proteins, which was found in MHCC97H, but not in MHCC97L cells. Experimental interventions using the high metastatic nude mice model have provided clues for the prevention of HCC metastasis. Translation from workbench to bedside demonstrated that serum VEGF, microvessel density, and p53 scoring may be of value for the prediction of postoperative metastatic recurrence. Interferon alpha proved effective for the prevention of recurrence both experimentally and clinically. In conclusion, HCC metastasis that probably initiated in the primary tumor is a multigene-involved, multistep, and changing process. The further elucidation of the mechanism underlying HCC metastasis will provide a more solid basis for the prediction and prevention of the metastatic recurrence of HCC.